History

The Manchester Cathedral has had many shapes and roles along the ages. Initially, on the ground where the Cathedral is now, there was only a simple church that was damaged by the Danes and later rebuilt by King Edward the Elder. A college was established here in 1421 under the guidance of Thomas de la Warre. This would be the start of a process of development of the site that would last until the 19^th century when it would be granted the status of Cathedral. In 1940 the Manchester Cathedral is severely damaged in a German bombing and the restoration process would take almost 20 years to complete.

Features

The Manchester Cathedral is a splendid Gothic building with a rich history and architecture. In the cathedral nave, there is a small angel carved in stone and holding a piece of parchment. It is considered as the oldest object in the Cathedral. The stone also carries an inscription in Old English stating “into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit”.  In the center of the church, visitors can admire wonderfully crafted statues of angels playing musical instruments specifically for the 15^th century, supporting the large nave of the cathedral. 

Some of Europe’s most exquisite misericords can be seen at the Manchester Cathedral. These wood carvings, some of which date back to the 16^th century, depict a large array of motifs, legends, habits and morals lessons.  

On the south porch of the cathedral, there is the Manchester Cathedral Visitor Centre where visitors can see the Hanging Bridge, a 15th-century bridge with an interesting story, or go into St Denys' Bookshop. 

More about Manchester Cathedral